Youngster beats man while on bail for possessing a knife

A TEENAGER has been locked up after going on a crime spree while on bail for possessing a knife.

The hoodie wearing 17-year-old and another youth attacked a passenger on a 105 bus on July 15.

The pair beat their victim with a stick after demanding his mobile, while a third yob kept watch.

Prosecutor Azra Khan told Isleworth Crown Court on Thursday (20): "The victim had two cuts to his head which required a total of nine stitches.

The next day he and a gang struck again in Northala Fields, Northolt. They beat up a group and took their phones and money.

A few days later the thugs ordered two frightened schoolboys to handing over their bicycles in Hanwell Bunny Park which they then threw in the river.

And later that day in Ealing Broadway, he snatched a mobile phone from a man crossing the road. But he was seen by two plain-clothes officers who chased and caught him.

Just eight weeks earlier the teen was quizzed by police after being arrested for carrying a knife but was released on bail.

He another boy fled when they spotted two police officers walking towards them in Ellesmere Road, Greenford, on May 22.

The teenager threw away his top and tossed the weapon over a garden wall, but it was later discovered by a police dog team.

The youngster pleaded guilty to possessing a bladed article in May, two charges of robbery, one of attempted robbery and one of theft Ð all in a few days in July Ð at Acton Youth Court and was committed to the crown court for sentence.

Counsel, Heather Hope said he had been in custody since August and found it very difficult. He had not been in trouble before and had committed the offences just before being accepted by the army.

She said: "This was a few days of complete madness for something that was quite pointless."

He recognises the fear he must have put his victims through and there is no suggestion that he is going to go out and do something like this again."

But Judge Sam Katkhuda said he had to consider the victims and there was no alternative to custody. He sentenced him to 12 months in a young offender institution.